Have E30. Need...Miata?: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Feb. 23, 2009 2:15 a.m. speedblind New Reader

Short version is I have an E30 now, a 1989 325i, that I love. And now I want a Miata. I'm hoping I'm posting this at the right forum.

Full story is far more boring, but bear with me. Three years ago, I bought and E30 for 2K. Went through a lot of trouble fixing various issues, and have ended up with a great car. About a year and a half ago, I decided to put it on a diet and stripped out the interior, including windows and regulators. No problem, though, as I lived in Phoenix at the time and no windows isn't much of a problem. Then I moved to Northern VA...all of a sudden, no windows and thin desert blood means I haven't driven the car in months. I still love the car, and it's seen too much blood and sweat getting it to its current state. I don't want to get rid of it.

So...the options before me are to purchase a parts car for 500-800 bucks, put the interior pieces back in, take any spares I want and part the rest. I'd buy a non-runner, with the goal being a perfect interior but enough mechanical problems to get me to my target price.

Or, it occurs to me, I could spend a bit more and have another great cheap/easy to work on car. There's a local Miata for 2,400 that has all the goodies already - Konis, Azenis, LSD, etc. Basically a turn-key fun car, and it gets me into a Miata for the summer. I've wanted a convertible ever since I sold my S2000. My brother also had a Miata when he lived with me, and I loved driving the thing.

So...given the situation, I'm looking for advice. Spend money to de-modify my E30, or spend a bit more and get a nicely-modified Miata that will be driveable in any weather?
Feb. 23, 2009 2:59 a.m. mtn Dork

Miata.
Feb. 23, 2009 6:43 a.m. minimac Dork

I would think you could get the parts you needed to put the 325 back together for far less than $500-$800. While the Miata w/the toys you want for $2400 isn't a bad deal, that's just the beginning point-hoping that it is free any problems.Miatas are fun little cars, but if it is the only car, you might tire of the "smallness". OTOH,if it will be a second car, do it. (and make me a deal on the BMW)
Feb. 23, 2009 11:31 a.m. nderwater New Reader

I had three E30's before moving on to Miata's because they were cheaper to maintain and more fun to drive. Now I have an E36 M3 daily driver (kids require a back seat) and a turbo Miata for the weekends - the best of both worlds.
Feb. 23, 2009 11:54 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

I agree.. get the parts to unmodify the bimmer AND get a Miata
Feb. 23, 2009 12:34 p.m. nderwater New Reader

Working on a Lemons car has inspired me to look for a low-buck Miata project. The car would be used first for autocross in stock form, then modified for track events and eventually meeting Spec Miata rules. Doing the wrenching myself and spreading the part/supply costs out over a couple of seasons would make the project much more feasible.
Feb. 23, 2009 5:11 p.m. JohnW New Reader

E30 and Miata. I like my E30 better day in, day out. But a Miata is bulletproof and a blast to drive. I sold my 90 Miata six months ago only to purchase another 90 last week. It is, as the other have said, the best of both worlds with an E30 and a Miata.
Feb. 23, 2009 6:27 p.m. driver109x Reader

I'm thimking of doing this. Sell or trade my E28 535is for a E30 325i/s to be my DD and sell my Infinity G20 and get a Miata to be my fun car.
Feb. 23, 2009 8:25 p.m. Dorsai New Reader

The answer is always Miata. Get the Miata, then scrounge up the E30 interior parts as you can. Both sound great to me.
Feb. 23, 2009 8:55 p.m. speedblind New Reader

I have to admit it's a bit self-serving posting the question here, but I got the replies I want.

I really like the idea of the Miata/E30 mix. My goal for the E30 is a dedicated and nicely-built track car within Spec E30 regulations (in terms of parts and prep). I'd like to take the time to do it right and make it actually look nice - i.e. nicely painted cage/interior, decent paint, etc. The E30's the car I'd keep forever.

On the other hand, I remember driving through some gorgeous tree-lined roads last summer, and a Miata seems like the ticket for enjoying warm summer days. And, in terms of modifications, it's pretty much got everything I'd require...maybe add a set of GC coilovers to the Konis and call it good.

We'll see how things go next weekend. If it's as advertised I'm 80% sure I'll pick it up.

One more question for the Miata folks...the owner says there's a bit of rust on the rocker panels near the rear of the car...that looks like it's been repaired. Being from a place where rust isn't an issue, I'm not sure how to go about judging how bad things are...would a PPI be the best bet?
Feb. 24, 2009 9:17 p.m. nderwater New Reader

that spot usually rots from the inside out as the sludge draining from the soft top collects there - so just because it's covered in paint by no means means that it's been fixed. if the rust is confined to that spot, it's not that big a deal - but look underneath. if it's was ever a northern car, there's likely to be rust and scaling all over the the subframes, suspension and exhaust - none of which is likely to be serious, but could get you a few hundred knocked off the asking price.
Feb. 25, 2009 12:00 a.m. speedblind New Reader

Good to know! Here's hoping it turns out to be free of major problems. I'm traveling this week and I brought the trash to treasure issue - one of my favorite all-time articles.
March 4, 2009 7:58 a.m. speedblind New Reader

Went and saw the car last night. Been repainted a lovely Maaco blue (was white). Color looked a bit off in the pics, but I figured it was just lighting. Paint looks like it never had a clear coat - probably a single-stage. Overspray everywhere, as you'd expect.

Fenders have both been replaced (one still shows damage) and the door jambs were poorly rattlecanned by a previous owner (paint's chipping off everywhere). Rust has been poorly repaired on both rear rocker panels and there's a hole on the driver's side. Lots of moisture in the trunk, especially on the driver's side. Oh, and one of the tires caught a nail. And no maintenance records on a 175K car.

So, the search continues! I have to say, though, that I remember what I liked about those cars. The control layout is great and the seats and interior stand up to all kinds of abuse. As bad as the exterior was, the interior looked great, and that's been the case with a lot of Miatas I've driven.